expression, i-adjective
unable to read the room; unable to pick up on the mood; socially clueless
Describes someone who fails to sense the atmosphere or unspoken social cues in a situation. Often used as a mild criticism or self-deprecating remark. Derived from the phrase 空気を読む (to read the room).
See also: 空気を読む
彼は空気読めない発言をして、場をしらけさせた。
He made a socially clueless remark and killed the mood.
That person can't read the room, so it's better to avoid sensitive topics.
Slang abbreviation of 空気読めない, used mainly in casual online communication.
From the phrase 空気を読む (to read the room), with the potential negative form 読めない (cannot read) attached to 空気 (atmosphere). The expression became popular in the early 2000s and is often abbreviated as KY.